Presented by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with the American Heart Association, this congressional briefing will explore The State of Obesity 2017: Better Policies for a Healthier America. Speakers will cover the latest national obesity rates and trends, highlight promising approaches states and localities have undertaken to ensure healthy communities, and offer recommendations for leaders and policymakers to prioritize efforts that help all Americans lead healthier lives.

In an effort to better inform and fashion a comprehensive response to childhood obesity the WHO Director-General established a high-level Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity, which comprises 15 accomplished and eminent individuals from a variety of relevant backgrounds. The aim of the Commission is to raise awareness and build momentum for action to address childhood obesity. The Commission has been tasked with preparing a report specifying the approaches and combinations of interventions that are likely to be most effective in tackling childhood and adolescent obesity in different contexts around the world. It is expected to deliver a final report to the Director-General in 2016 outlining a comprehensive strategy, including an accountability framework and policy options to address this growing epidemic.

An Interim Report of the Commission has now been finalized and can be accessed at here. It will form the basis for an online consultation, with relevant stakeholders, which was open for comments on 16 March 2015 and will close on 5 June 2015. You are invited to consult the Report and submit your suggestions and feedback. The Report will also form the basis of the WHO regional consultations with Member States as well as hearings with relevant non-State actors.